MAUNA KEA OBSERVATORY, HAWAII

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Summary: The document discusses the presence of observatories on Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano, which are used by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and France. These observatories are located at a high elevation and above most of Earth's atmosphere and water vapor, making them ideal for ground-based telescopes. However, there is a shortage of telescopes for the research that needs to be conducted.

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Body:  Approved For Release 2000/08/11  CIA-RDP96-00792R000700600001-4
 Hawaii
 the Big Island
 Elevations in feet
 STATURE MILE5
 MAP PAI NI ED BY JAIME OUINTEaO
 _PI LED BY GUNANS J. AUTINS
 Niihau    - -     ''l~ahu        E
 Honolulu * ti                                                                                                                 - Volokol
 PACIFIC                    'I- M..,
 OCEAN - -      Kahootawe '': ,.
 Approved For Release 2000/08/11: CIA-RDP96-00792R000700600001-4
 In the moonscape of lava cones atop Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano, the U. S.,               infrared telescopes. The island location is free from atmospheric turbulence induced
 United Kingdom, Canada, and France have raised a cluster of observatories.               by landmasses, as well as light pollution from cities. Logistic support can be
 Nearly three miles in altitude, they stand above almost half the earth's                 shared. A real problem for astronomers, however, is that too few such telescopes
 atmosphere and 90 percent of its water vapor, excellent for ground-based                 are available for the research that needs to be done.
 Approved For Release 2000/08/11: CIA-RDP96-00792R000700600001-4